My daughter just started daycare and I was concerned when I was told they were warming my frozen/refrigerated breastmilk (stored in a Lansinoh storage bag) in a bottle warmer. Doesn't the heat compromise the milk? I thought you should only warm it in a bowl of warm water?!

November 21st, 2012, 08:08 AM

@llli*mumtothomas

Re: Is it safe to warm breast milk in a warmer??

It's been a long time, but I think you're right.

November 21st, 2012, 08:15 AM

@llli*filmmommy

Re: Is it safe to warm breast milk in a warmer??

We've been using a bottle warmer the whole time. Geez, maybe we were doing it wrong, but my daughter is healthy so I guess I am in the clear even if we were messing it up!

November 21st, 2012, 08:23 AM

@llli*mumtothomas

Re: Is it safe to warm breast milk in a warmer??

We used one too--I may be wrong! I know no microwaving, but now I think I may be off about the warmer.

November 21st, 2012, 11:39 AM

@llli*djs.mom

Re: Is it safe to warm breast milk in a warmer??

The most important reason I think to use a bowl or warm water is because you dont' want to shake the milk. Because shaking the milk breaks the amino chains. And Microwaves are a no no due to unever heating and possible burning of the baby as a result. How does a bottle warmer work exactly?

November 21st, 2012, 11:47 AM

@llli*still.here

Re: Is it safe to warm breast milk in a warmer??

I thought most bottle warmers were just machines that held warm water with slots for the bottles to sit in. I'm pretty sure that's what they used at Nora's day care back in the day.

November 21st, 2012, 12:25 PM

@llli*djs.mom

Re: Is it safe to warm breast milk in a warmer??

Quote:

Originally Posted by @llli*still.here

I thought most bottle warmers were just machines that held warm water with slots for the bottles to sit in. I'm pretty sure that's what they used at Nora's day care back in the day.

Hmmm. Is the issue that if it gets warmer than body temperature that kind of heat can damage the milk?

we used one. they can get VERY hot, but i imagine anyone working in a daycare would be experienced with how to set it and how long to leave bottle in.

November 26th, 2012, 10:28 AM

@llli*mercystreet

Re: Is it safe to warm breast milk in a warmer??

Some bottle warmers use circulating warm water to heat the bottle, and some use steam. My understanding is that the steam ones can get very hot. It's probably fine either way, but you could ask the daycare for more details about their type of bottle warmer, and research the mechanism it uses to heat the milk. If you are not comfortable with what they are using, and your finances allow, you could always purchase and donate a small crockpot for them to use with your expressed milk. (A crockpot on a low setting does the same thing as a bottle warmer for a lot less money ... a small one would set you back $20.)